In wake of Hurricane Katrina, New National Campaign Highlights "Need for Urgent Changes at Agency"

(Editor's Note: Before we even get to the text of this story, it's worth pointing out that air traffic controllers and the FAA are locked in heated negotiations over a new contract. As ANN has reported in the recent past, charges and countercharges have been flying while pilots watch closely, wondering how much to believe from both sides. We received this information from NATCA on Wednesday -- and have yet to hear anything to counter it from the FAA.)

Announcing what it calls a major new national public education campaign, the National Air Traffic Controllers' Association Wednesday called on the FAA to address "serious flaws that are putting the safety of the flying public at risk."

Launching the "Fly Us Safe Campaign" -– a television, internet and press effort –- NATCA President John Carr outlined "how serious mismanagement is putting the safety, integrity and efficiency of America’s air traffic control system in danger."

"In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Americans everywhere have been reminded of the indispensable role federal agencies play in protecting the public and the high price of poor planning and mismanagement," said Carr. "Now, as the nation assesses these agencies, America’s air traffic controllers are blowing the whistle on serious and dangerous mismanagement by the FAA that is threatening passenger safety."

Unveiling a new television commercial, internet ads and press outreach, the national public education campaign will open by focusing on what NATCA sees as two serious crises facing the aviation system: an acute staffing shortage caused by FAA cutbacks and the agency’s failure to adequately modernize and improve the infrastructure of the country’s air traffic control facilities.

The staffing crisis: "Air traffic is increasing to record levels, but already there are 1,000 fewer controllers than there were just two years ago. The FAA has failed to address the problem: in fiscal year 2004 only 13 air traffic controllers were hired. This crisis has been looming for years, but even though the FAA was repeatedly warned about it, the agency first ignored, and then completely mismanaged the looming crisis."

Modernization failures: "The FAA’s current record of modernization is the story of slowing, cutting or derailing critical programs, seriously impacting passenger safety and wasting taxpayer dollars. The agency’s record of shame includes the cutting of a vital system allowing control over aircraft on airport tarmacs, the cancellation of the deployment of important global positioning systems and the failure to deploy next generation air/ground communications."

The "Fly Us Safe" campaign Wednesday launched with a new ad, "Dangerous Act," that will run on nationwide television. Web ads will run on major news, weather and aviation websites. A toll free action line at 1-877-FLY-US-SAFE will connect members of the public to their elected representatives to ask them to address serious safety concerns.

"If the FAA won’t step up to the plate to ensure safety, then America’s air traffic controllers certainly will," said Carr, "We know the public puts an equally high priority on safety in the skies, and we’re expecting considerable support in this effort."

FMI: www.flyussafe.com